President Michael D Higgins has said it makes him "very sad indeed" to see the situation in Co Clare, where people in the International Protection programme are sleeping in tents.
Around 80 asylum-seekers based in Knockalisheen are facing another night in tents in sub-zero temperatures.
"It is something that should concern all us," President Higgins said. "It shouldn't happen anywhere. We really have to solve it."
The Taoiseach earlier said it is challenging to provide the right accommodation for people seeking refuge and international protection in Ireland.
Speaking specifically about those staying in tented accommodation in Co Clare during sub-zero conditions overnight, Micheál Martin said the services are "continuing to work to see what we can do in relation to that".
"I will be engaging with others over the weekend to see how we can improve that situation," he added.
Speaking in Cork, the Taoiseach said what is happening globally is unprecedented.
"As a result, we have unprecedented numbers of people feeling wary coming into the country - about 66,000 Ukrainians, well over 10,000 additional people seeking international protection, and it is challenging in terms of providing the right accommodation for people and we will continue to do that, particularly in that situation, to get as many people into better accommodation."
Asked if those in Co Clare could hope to be accommodated soon, the Taoiseach said he is working with other colleagues "in respect of that, but it is very challenging because we are in a very difficult war time situation".
He said accommodation is coming available at different times "but numbers keep coming in obviously and that does create pressures", he said.
The Taoiseach has said it is challenging to provide the right accommodation for people staying in tented accommodation in Co Clare during sub-zero conditions. Mr Martin said the services are "continuing to work to see what we can do in relation to that" | https://t.co/mYXhm9shfg pic.twitter.com/Zr1rHZ1B2S
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 10, 2022
The Irish Refugee Council expressed "shock and dismay" that some people are still sleeping in tented accommodation.
CEO of the Irish Refugee Council Nick Henderson has called for urgent action to move them to "appropriate accommodation."
He said it is appalling, and of deep concern, that people are in this situation in sub-zero temperatures overnight.
He said "cold weather has been in the forecast for many days" and what many had predicted with regard to this accommodation has materialised, " a short term measure slipped from summer to autumn and then the cold of winter."
While acknowledging the volume of work being undertaken by the Department of Children and Integration, he said he is shocked and dismayed that "all the power of Government" could not have moved a relatively small group of people from tents to better accommodation"
It comes as temperatures are set to plummet again tonight to -5C in some areas.
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said around 20 people who have been staying in tented accommodation in Knockalisheen were moved to alternative accommodation yesterday.
Earlier this week, the asylum seekers told RTÉ News about the challenges in this accommodation as temperatures plummeted.
The tented camp in Clare is the only one still accommodating international protection applicants.
'Fear and uncertainty' among refugees
Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Eugene Quinn said some of the men in Knockalisheen "barely slept" last night during the sub-zero temperatures.
He described a "lot of fear and uncertainty" among those at the tented facility during a visit there this morning.
"They want to get out of the accommodation which is cold and freezing, but they are also quite nervous as to where they will go as they don't know when that will happen or where that will be in the system."
Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, he said they have complained about the cold with heating being an ongoing issue and some slept in the recreation room to try to keep warm.
There are 13 tents in Knockalisheen with eight beds in each one, he explained.
Mr Quinn has been visiting the facility as concerns are raised about dozens of international protection applicants still having to stay there during freezing temperatures.
Chief Commissioner for Human Rights and Equality in Ireland Sinéad Gibney said it is "not acceptable" to have people staying in tented accommodation in Co Clare in the freezing temperatures and also raised concern that they have been there for "so long".
Speaking on the same programme, she said the IHREC will be examining it to see if it is a breach of human rights.
"We have to look at in that context around the threshold under international and European law for what constitutes that breach of human rights."
She acknowledged that the State is dealing with "unprecedented circumstances" and that is why these temporary measures are extending "well beyond where they should be".
However, she said what is happening requires further examination.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke said it is not acceptable for people to be in tented accommodation in cold weather but also highlighted the challenge the State is facing during a housing crisis.
He said there are around 85,000 additional citizens in Ireland this year, both from Ukraine and international protection applicants.
He said it is difficult to predict the numbers who arrive as international protection applicants and added he is fully aware of the difficulties people are in.
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal Louise O'Reilly described the situation in Knockalisheen as "awful" and criticised the Government for leaving people in this setting for this length of time.
"They have been in them for three months and it would be different if they had just arrived a few days ago. They had three months to put contingency in place."
She said it is not good enough to have these people sleep in sub-zero temperatures.
Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North Cian O'Callaghan echoed that view and said it is "completely unacceptable" that anyone could be left sleeping in freezing conditions.
He said there is an obligation to do much better and not to fail people in this way.
Additional reporting: Karen Creed and Colman O'Sullivan
